2012 NFL Mock Draft

Ya, I know it’s pointless to put one of these things out prior to Free Agency, but it’s just so damn fun. I will of course release at post free agency draft as well and I’m sure it won’t look anything like this one. Basically what I’m trying to say is that reading this mock draft is pretty much a waste of your time. Since you have read this much, go ahead and check out my thoughts and predictions.

GROUP ONE

Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – No need to explain this one, Luck is the best thing available and could give the Colts another decade of great quarterbacking.

Browns (predicted trade with Rams) – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor – I’m predicting the Browns are the team that trades with St. Louis to make this happen. The Dolphins and Redskins could also be players in a trade. Let’s just hope the Browns don’t ruin Griffin like they do all of their QB prospects.

Vikings – Matt Kalil, T, USC – The Vikings can protect Ponder’s blindside for a long time with this pick.

Rams (traded with Browns) – Riley Reiff, T, Iowa –Everybody has seemed to pencil in Justin Blackmon to the Rams. However, I think the Rams will address receiver needs in FA and let’s not forget they have Amendola returning from injury. Bradford needs protection and Reiff will provide it.

Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU – Claiborne will come in and immediately help a Buccaneers team that really fell off last year. The heart of their problem was discipline but next in line was their secondary. They have to get better and Claiborne will help.

Redskins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M – The Skins have to be upset that Landry Jones and Matt Barkley decided to stay in college another year. Tannehill is the pick, and he could end up being better than both.

GROUP TWO

Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR, OK State – Blackmon is not picked to fall this far in most mocks so call me dumb. The Jags will be ecstatic if this actually happens. Blackmon would provide Blaine Gabbert a great asset to make a step up from his less than stellar rookie season.

Panthers – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama – Panthers defense needs to improve if they want to have a good 2012 season. The offense looks to be great, but the defense has holes everywhere. Kirkpatrick is a good coverage corner who could be the better half of a Chris Gamble/Kirkpatrick duo.

Dolphins – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson – Every year there seems to be that one pick that you think a team reached way too high for. The Jaguars have done it the past 2 years (Alualu, Gabbert). This year it’s the Dolphins. I’m predicting they pass on Melvin Ingram and look for Branch to replace Jason Taylor. Sidenote: they don’t trade for Griffin because Matt Flynn follows Philbin in free agency.

Buffalo Bills – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina – The Bills really struggled to pressure the QB last season. Coples could really help in that department.

Chiefs – Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford – Matt Cassell had the Chiefs back on track after a disastrous start to the 2011 season. He went down amongst poor protection. Martin could easily go top 5 in this draft. Chiefs get a steal here.

GROUP THREE

Seahawks – Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama – Jenkins has well noted off the field problems. Without those problems, he goes ahead of Kirkpatrick. To be honest, I wouldn’t be mad he is there when the Cowboys pick. This is the highest you will probably see him in most mocks, but his talent is worth a top 10. Sidenote: The Seahawks will probably be big Matt Flynn players.

Cardinals – Mike Adams, T, Ohio State – The Cardinals will need to take the best tackle available at #13 and immediately put him at LT.

Ingram of South Carolina could spark a Cowboys pass rush opposite of Ware.

Cowboys – Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina – This is very much subject to change after free agency. Rumors are swirling about the Cowboys going after CB Brandon Carr and G Carl Nicks once free agency begins. The boys need somebody to compliment Demarcus Ware and Spencer doesn’t seem to be the guy. Ingram might be.

Eagles – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College – Kuechly has been destined to be an Eagle with the combination of poor performances at that position and him being the best ILB in a somewhat week class. Philly jumps without hesitation on Kuechly.

Jets – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor – Wright is the speed receiver that the Jets need. Mark Sanchez could regain some swagger with a receiver like Wright.

Bengals – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama – I’m probably way off, but I believe Richardson falls to 17. He immediately makes the Bengals a lot better on offense. Dalton, Green, and Richardson makes you think of Aikman, Irvin, and Smith. Just a lil.

Chargers – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama – The Chargers need a linebacker who can get after the QB to take some pressure of Phillips to do it all. Upshaw can certainly pressure the passer.

GROUP FOUR

Titans, Nick Perry, DE, USC – Perry can come in and make an immediate impact in the pass rush. The Titans need it. Don’t be shocked if they go the WR route either.

Bengals – David DeCastro, G, Stanford – Hard to imagine DeCastro falling this far, but if he does it will be welcomed by the Bengals. DeCastro is arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the draft.

Browns need a true #1 receiver. Especially if they draft RG3!

Cleveland Browns – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers – RG3 will need a receiver that can stretch the field to help him transition to the NFL. Sanu is an underrated receiver who will make some noise in the NFL.

Detroit Lions – Alfonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska – The Lions need to fix their secondary and Dennard is the first step in doing so.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, T, Georgia – If the Steelers can fix their O-Line, they will have one the more dangerous offenses in the league. Scary thought when you think of their D. (Not the one that was torched by Tebow.)

Broncos – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU – Brockers is a force at the DT position and would fit nicely in Denver’s scheme.

GROUP FIVE

Texans – Jerel Worth, DT, Michigan State – The Texans have no glaring holes so they look to get younger on the defensive line.

Patriots – Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois – The Pats defense needs help all over. Their pass rush wasn’t horrible but they need to get younger. Mecilus led the nation in sacks last season.

Green Bay Packers – Ronnell, Lewis, OLB/DE, Oklahoma – Lewis is one of the hardest hitting guys in the draft. He has excellent speed to be a great pass rusher in the NFL. Clay Matthews and Ronnell Lewis could one of the better pass rushing duo’s in the league. Sidenote: This kid went to my small high school in Dewar Oklahoma and I would not be mad at the Cowboys for taking him 14th or trading back and taking him later in the first.

49ers – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina – Jeffery slipping to the 49ers is a blessing for both parties. The 49ers get the big time WR that they need and Jeffery goes to a Superbowl contender that really needs him. Win-Win.

Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama – The Pats should pick up a receiver in free agency and then draft nothing but defense in the Draft. Barron fits in nicely here.

Giants – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford – Yes the 4th guy taken from Stanford in the 1st round. Imagine the Giants offense with a better receiving TE… Scary… and I hate it.